Identical Twins Give Birth at the Same Time on the Same Day: 'We Can't Wait for Them to Grow Up Together'

Identical twins Sarah Mariuz and Leah Rodgers have shared everything from clothes to toys over the years, but never did the sisters think they would give birth on the same day – let alone at the exact same time.

The 35-year-old women both welcomed their firstborn children into the world on June 30 at 1:18 a.m. in their respective cities. Rodgers gave birth to Reid Joseph in Denver, Colorado, one hour before her sister’s baby, Samantha Lynne, was born in La Jolla, California.

“It’s that magical twin connection I suppose,” Mariuz tells PEOPLE. “There have just been certain things in our life where things just match up – it’s odd.”

She adds, “We didn’t plan being pregnant at the same time. But our journeys aligned, even giving birth! Twins have a special bond, it’s hard to explain.”

Sarah Mariuz and Leah Rodgers at their joint baby shower

Courtesy Sarah Mariuz and Leah Rodgers

The sisters told each other they were pregnant at a Thanksgiving family get-together.

“I wanted it to be a surprise, but when she showed up at the door – it was the funniest thing – I opened the door, welcomed her into the home, but as soon as I saw her, I knew she was pregnant too,” Rodgers tells PEOPLE. “I can’t explain it, I just knew. My prediction was that she was five days behind me, and it turned out her due date was four days after me.”

When Mariuz and Rodgers exchanged ultrasounds they “laughed so hard.”

“I was like ‘Oh my gosh, shut up!’ ” says Rodgers. “We stood there and giggled and our family was in complete shock. It’s just one of those things that’s totally possible, but when it’s confirmed, it’s so crazy.”

The sisters also celebrated their pregnancy months together – giving each other daily text updates and phone calls – and even had a joint baby shower with pink and blue cakes.

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“It’s a really cool thing to be able to share,” says Rodgers. “The adventure will only continue as our babies share the same birthday like we did! We can’t wait for them to grow up together.”

Rodgers' newborn son, Reid Joseph

Courtesy Sarah Mariuz and Leah Rodgers

Rodgers says her family started a group text thread when the two women went into labor around the same time.

“When my sister’s husband got the text about Reed being born at 1:18 a.m. he apparently shouted at the doctors, he couldn’t believe it!” Rodgers says with a laugh. “It was literally the exact same time.”